$Unique_ID{BRK02408}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What Causes Eyelid Twitches?}
$Subject{eyelid eye twitch jerk fasciculation blinking twitches sense senses
eyelids eyes nerves nervous system twitching jerks blink blinks fascicular
fasciculate} fasciculated muscle spasm spasms
$Volume{F-21}
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Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Causes Eyelid Twitches?


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QUESTION:  From time to time I develop a most annoying problem.  The upper
eyelid in one eye starts to twitch and jerk, going on and on for hours at a
time and lasting for several days.  Nothing I do seems to stop them or make
them disappear.  What are they caused by and what can I do about them?

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ANSWER:  Be reassured, just about everyone I know has had the same twitch at
one time or another.  It is not the sign of anything serious, but it may be
related to stress and fatigue.  Its scientific name is "fasciculation" and it
is the result of too frequent stimulation of the muscles in the eyelid by the
nerves that normally control the blinking reflex.  You may be able to prevent
the problem from recurring by analyzing your situation just before the
twitches started.  Too much work in a badly lit work environment, out of date
glasses, long periods of intense concentration while reading small print with
detailed data all can lead to the start of the "twitches".  Avoiding the
precipitating cause is a step to prevention, but rest and relaxation can speed
your recovery, for the episode usually disappears in a matter of days.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.